Fabrication of CuO-based antireflection structures using self-arranged submicron SiO 2 spheres for thermoelectric solar generation

We fabricated antireflection structures (ARSs) on the hot side of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) to absorb near-infrared (NIR) solar light with low reflective energy loss. First, the ARSs, composed of a CuO thin-film coated hemisphere array were designed using rigorous coupled wave analysis. Reflective loss was reduced to 6.7% at a grating period of 200 nm, as determined by simulation. Then, the ARSs were fabricated on a glass substrate using self-arranged submicron SiO 2 spheres, following the coating of a CuO thin film. Finally, the effect of the ARSs on NIR solar light generation was investigated by evaluating the generation properties of the TEG with the ARSs on the hot side. In comparison with the TEG with the CuO flat thin film on the hot side, the ARSs increased the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides by approximately 1.4 times. The CuO-based ARSs absorbed NIR solar light effectively.